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Disable Cortana data collection

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Minimum

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Low

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 16 scripts
  • 2 categories
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview

This category targets the reduction of Cortana's data collection practices.

Cortana, Microsoft's digital assistant, integrates deeply with Windows Search to provide personalized assistance based on user data.

By disabling Cortana's data collection features, this category aims to enhance user privacy by preventing the sharing of sensitive information with Microsoft.

The scripts within this category provide users with the tools to limit Cortana's reach into their personal data, thereby fostering a more private and secure digital environment.

Safe for General Use
All actions in this script is recommended for all users. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.

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Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

NormalEveryday Privacy (Enterprise-Grade)

  • Recommended for all
  • Safe for daily use
  • No impact on system stability

Read more about Normal and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Cortana data collection" using script

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Cortana data collection" using privacy.sexy

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Disable Cortana data collection
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide

  • 16 Privacy settings
  • 2 Main categories
    • These settings are organized into 2 main categories for easy navigation.
    • Each main category contains subcategories, helping you find specific settings you might want to adjust.
  • 2 Total categories

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

  • Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
  • Most users find the Normal protection above sufficient.

Disable Cortana activity history

This category focuses on preventing Cortana from storing and displaying user interaction history. When enabled, Cortana collects data on user activities, such as interactions with the assistant and search queries, to personalize the user experience. This collection can be a privacy concern as it involves the retention and potential analysis of personal behavior patterns. By disabling this feature, users can prevent their activity history from being used for customization or other purposes, there...

Disable Cortana voice listening

This category is designed to stop Cortana from listening for voice commands. By default, Cortana can actively listen for voice input, which may include capturing and processing speech patterns and potentially sensitive spoken content. This capability raises privacy issues as voice data is often processed and stored remotely. Disabling Cortana's voice listening features ensures that conversations or background noises are not inadvertently recorded or analyzed, providing users with a greater level...

Disable Cortana during search

Ready for disable Cortana during search on Windows to reduce digital surveillance as a result of privacy assurance? This cheat sheet facilitates the process of the way. Furthermore to this, this resource simplifies the workflow to reset to prior performance level. Preserving human rights in a digital society relies on personal privacy enforcement. Let's enhance your cyber data privacy control via parameters from this enhancement: follow these steps to (Reference: finalize). Pay attention to all...

Disable Cortana experience

This post provides clarity around: disable Cortana experience to manage sensitive data protection effectively for Windows. Let's not forget, process to return to the default setup is detailed below. Evolution without surveillance depends on data handling protection.Digital freedom is meaningless without cyber data privacy integration. This optimization improves online data privacy preferences - find your (Reference: preferred method). Think of this as solving a puzzle. Each step is a piece, so ...

Disable Cortana's access to cloud services such as OneDrive and SharePoint

Steps to disable Cortana's access to cloud services such as OneDrive and SharePoint on your Windows machine to lock down private information as part of cyber privacy guardrail. On another note, to undo the customization, follow the instructions on this setting adjustment makes accessible the complexities of. Long-term respect for individuality is protected by data privacy maintenance. Important privacy protection options: enhance security through this improvement and you're almost there! See...

Disable Cortana speech interaction while the system is locked

Windows information privacy enforcement tip: disable Cortana speech interaction while the system is locked to align with proper system data privacy management — this specification offers a detailed exploration of how.. Not only that, steps to cancel and undo updates are included in this companion. Reinforcing human rights begins with respecting personal data safeguard. To get started with data handling maintenance control, discover the (Reference: choices) available to you and start using recip...

Disable participation in Cortana data collection

To enhance data data handling defenses, this demonstration offers guidance on: disable participation in Cortana data collection Windows. Over and above, this write-up creates a clear picture of the procedure to restore the initial configuration. Digital privacy handling creates a safe space for personal growth and expression. Set up this alteration to manage secure data privacy measures settings and take action to (Reference: do the next step). Double-checking your progress after each step ensu...

Disable enabling of Cortana

Increase important privacy assurance Windows: disable enabling of Cortana to make your data safer as result of digital data privacy management. As a subsequent point, this system alteration provides instructions to cancel and reset settings. Preserving personal boundaries is achievable with robust personal data integration policies. Ready for better secure data privacy protection parameters? Now, find out which (Reference: path) feels best. Don't feel pressured to finish quickly. Taking your ti...

Disable Cortana in start menu

This collection —disable Cortana in start menu— simplifies your journey into understanding how to restrict personal data sharing through the use of sensitive data privacy control on Windows. Beyond that, this help guides your learning journey on how to return to baseline settings. Preventing overreach in digital surveillance depends on online privacy management. Start enhanced through important privacy enforcement options: apply the improvement through the (Reference: steps provided). Don't let imp...

Remove "Cortana" icon from taskbar

Windows privacy security tip: remove "Cortana" icon from taskbar to protect your private information leveraging online privacy protection — this module demystifies how.. For a fuller picture, this webpage equips you to handle how to reverse the last customization. Prioritizing system privacy assurance fosters responsible data handling for everyone. Want stronger personal data management protection? Simply, find the (Reference: solution) that feels right for your goals. Completing each step prop...

Disable Cortana in ambient mode

Steps to disable Cortana in ambient mode on your Windows machine to safeguard your data using secure privacy management. Following this, this cheatsheet provides instructions to undo alterations and revert. Healthy online communities are fostered by prioritizing system data privacy maintenance. Start enabled by guide for online data privacy integration control: follow the steps to (Reference: implement). Complete each part with focus and precision. References - [Windows Registry Forensics](http...

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Wider Goal

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

This category is dedicated to minimizing the personal data collected and utilized by Windows Search and Cortana. It encompasses a range of scripts designed to curt...

About the Creators

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017

Reviewed By

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:
  • Expert review by undergroundwires

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
  • Public review by large community

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.